People have been asking me how I was able to work in Australia – Well here it is. This is how. And low and behold it’s not just an opportunity for me – but you my friend can do it too. (Certain countries may not be eligible. Read the links to find your country)
1. GET THE VISA Subclass 462 – This visa is for young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year. It’s specifically for Americans and anyone with a passport from the following countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay.
If I didn’t list your country, you may be eligible for the 417 Working Holiday Visa. And if you are, I’m extremely jealous, because you get one year to work in Australia with an optional second year on the completion of three months of farm work. (DO THE FARM WORK) This is for countries like England and Canada. Here’s the link that will take you on the best adventure of your life.
SUBCLASS 462: Work and Holiday Visa (US residents can apply online) THIS VISA ALLOWS YOU TO
•stay in Australia for up to 12 months
•work in Australia for up to six months with each employer
• study for up to four months (But if that main point of your visit is to study, consider a Student Visa)
• leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid.
COST: AU $485 (As of 1/2021 this is the current price)
NOTE: Once you apply, and are approved, you have exactly one year to get into the country. That’s when your visa starts. Then you have one year from that date to stay and work. If you leave, the visa doesn’t stop. But you can come and go as you please during your year of eligibility.
GETTING APPROVED –
- have a passport from an eligible country
- be 18 to 30 years old. *If you apply when you are 30 but turn 31 before they have made a decision, they can still grant the visa and you can enter the country at 31.
- apply from outside Australia
- not be accompanied by dependent children
- not have previously entered Australia on a subclass 462 or 417 visa. If you previously entered Australia on a subclass 462 visa, see the second Work and Holiday visa.
- EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: If from the USA, a minimum of a High School Diploma is needed. Or, as Australians call it: “Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or equivalent.”
That’s it. Pretty simple huh. My visa was flagged when I applied and I needed to submit further documentation. If you have been in a third world country for more than six months like I had been, they require you to get a chest x-ray to check for tuberculosis. I was in Thailand at the time, so I went to the hospital in Phuket, paid $30 USD with no health insurance and the hospital sent my records to Australian immigration. A week later I heard back via email that I was approved.
LAST REQUIREMENT BEFORE ENTERING – Australia requires that you have a minimum of $5000 AU in your home bank account. This is to make sure that you can return home or sustain yourself in their country if anything happens to you or you can’t find work. They don’t actually ask for proof of your bank details when you apply for the visa BUT there is a chance they will ask you at airport immigration. They may, they may not. So be prepared. (They did not ask me.) I know of some people whose relatives opened bank accounts with $5000 in their name just in case. I also know people who risked it and didn’t have that much money and went anyway. You could be deported if caught with insufficient funds. The choice is yours.
2. BOOK YOUR FLIGHT From the time your visa is approved you have one year to get to Australia. Once you get there, your one year working visa starts. I like to use SKYSCANNER.COM to start my flight search. NOW ALL YOU NEED IS A STARTING POINT. I recommend choosing a city, buying a one-way ticket, booking a hostel and letting the rest fall into place. Don’t try to plan too much. You’re going to a place you’ve never been to. You don’t know what you’ll be drawn to and who’ll you’ll meet.
Just get there.
It’s okay to not have it mapped out. When you travel like this nothing ever goes according to plan anyway, so you’re saving yourself time by not planning anything – promise!
3. FIRST 2 DAYS Now you’ve arrived and you’re on a mission to find work. First straighten out three main things.
A) Get an Aussie phone number – Do this right away. You cannot get a job without a way for an employer to contact you. Go to the nearest shopping center and ask for a plan. Make sure to unlock your iPhone or whatever phone you have before you arrive in the country. You can insert an Australian sim into your phone from home. It could be less than $40 a month for a basic plan. I didn’t use my iPhone because Verizon wouldn’t unlock it. (I hate Verizon, but that’s another story.) So, I used a shitty flip phone that I purchased in Australia instead. It got the job done. *Since this article was written in 2015, Verizon has made changes*
Vodafone is a popular phone service. I started with Vodafone until I found about about Lebara…
**Lebara is an Australian phone provider that I used because I was able to call the U.S for free with my monthly pre-paid plan. They range for $30 – $50 a month.
B) Apply for a TAX FILE NUMBER (TFN) You also want to do this right away because they send you your information in the mail and it could take up to 28 days. You are legally allowed to work in Australia, which means you will eventually need to file taxes. The average refund is $2,600. Though, I know backpackers on the visa who have received much more.
When you are ready to file, it’s very simply. I used TAXBACK.COM. I went in person to the office in Sydney.
*As of 2015 Australian tax laws have changed. See website.*
C) Open an Australian bank account Commonwealth Bank is what most backpackers use in Australia. I recommend going there and opening an account. You will need your Australian phone number and passport. From there they will give you a debit card and information for direct deposit that you can give to your future employer. Opening an account is free but they will require you to put some money in your bank account or they will charge you a small fee of $4 a month until you have $1000 in your account. I told them I had just arrived in Australia and I came with hardly any money and I was just beginning to look for work… the kind man waived my fee for three months. (There’s aways a way!)
*NOTE: There are companies that will charge you hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to set up A, B and C and help you find a job. You don’t need them. Save yourself the money. It’s easier than they make it seem.
A) HAND OUT YOUR RESUME I came to Australia with printed out resumes ready to go. I knew I wanted to work in hospitality, so I tailored my resume appropriately. It’s common to add a picture to your resume in Australia. I recommend doing that. My strategy – Explore Sydney – Decide what part I wanted to work in and hand out resumes in that area. I’m not much of a researcher. When I saw Darling Harbour, I new I wanted to be there every day – So I went around to every restaurant, asked to speak to a manager and handed out my resume in person. That same day I received two potential job offers.
**TRIALS – If you get interest from a restaurant you will be required to come in and work a three hour trial (usually unpaid). This is your chance to prove yourself. They give you a uniform, fill you in on the run down of the place and usually have you run drinks, food and bus tables to see if you know what you’re doing. At the end of the trial they’ll let you know if you got the job or not.
CERTIFICATIONS – Depending on your job, you may be required to get certified in your field. If you choose to work in hospo, you’ll need a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate. You can do it online or take a class in town. I did mine through TCP Training and paid $120 AU to be certified in five states. There are cheaper options and you can choose to do as many states as you want. You can do the course before you enter the country or you can wait until you find work. I worked for about two weeks before I finished my RSA class. As long as the employer knows you are in the process of completing it, you should be fine.
NOTE: Minimum wage in Australia is $16.87/hr. I would aim for something that is around $20/hr. Working in hospitality allowed me to make a little more than my salary every week because I would also bring home tips. Around $75 – $200 extra a week. Some of my friends made more than that in tips, some less. There are places that pay more for Saturday and Sunday too. For example $25/hr on Saturday and $30/hr on Sunday. Don’t be afraid to ask about that. (BLOG POST HIGHLIGHTING MY FRIENDS JOBS/WAGES/CERTS TO COME)
B) ONLINE OPTION Browse GUMTREE.COM.AU. I have plenty of friends who found all kinds of jobs on there. Check out SEEK.COM.AU for more professional jobs. (NOTE: They deal with so many backpackers who have been flakey and not showed up for their first day, so employers are more likely to contact you if you are already in the country with an Australian phone number.
4. WHERE TO LIVE? Start out at a hostel. Even live in the hostel the whole time if you’re keen. I pretty much did. I recommend Hostel World to book hostels. GUMTREE.COM.AU is a great way to find shared accommodation in the city you are in. Decide what you are looking to spend a week on housing. I was looking for the cheapest place I could find and I ended up finding shared housing in Bondi Beach for $150 a week including utilities. The house was a small hippie house shared with 13 other backpackers and there were six people who lived in my room. Three bunk beds and dressers for our stuff. One bathroom was shared by all of us.
Before this I was living in an 18 bed dorm room in World Square Hostel. I lived there for about six months. I was paying $150 a week for about two months until I started working promotions at the hostel and then my rent was free. If you are looking for your own bedroom in a shared house, you are looking at a minimum of $200 plus a week plus utilities. It all depends on what you’re looking to spend and where you are willing to live. Most places require at least two weeks rent up front. AND REMEMBER liking an accommodation doesn’t mean you will get to live there. When you view a room, you are being scoped out as well. They are probably showing this room to a couple people in the same day you view it. The final decision is made by theis made by the people/landlord who already live there. Most people are looking for someone similar to themselves and people they think they’ll get along with. You will see a lot of ads saying “quite apartment and no guests allowed over,” or “fun party house,” or “young couple looking for another couple to move in.” Some people are even looking to rent a room for a week or a month. You can find pretty much anything. Just keep checking. Things update all the time.
I think I covered the basics to help you get started :) I’ve met some people who have paid companies to do all the work for them. Don’t be tricked into paying for something you can do yourself. There are thousands of backpackers over there doing the same thing. Anything you need to know you can find out through word or mouth. I actually arrived in Australia without knowing any of this. I learned what I needed to do with each day I was there just by asking people. Just figured it out as I went. So now with this knowledge you’re already steps ahead of me!
MORE ABOUT WHAT JOBS YOU CAN FIND IN AUSTRALIA
Kate from the States 
31in May Kate, an my advice for me??
I think as long as you apply when you are 30, you can still enter the country when you’re 31. Read the fine detail on the visa website, email or even call and ask if you have to! I believe my friend Danny was 31 when he started his visa but I’m not positive. Good luck :)
Of course lol There are a couple of ways. Whoever you are dating can sponsor you – which means you can stay in the country and work (it is quite expensive but worth it – I have a couple of friends doing that) or you can find a job that will sponsor you to stay with them for a couple more years :) … And hmmm maybe I will write a book – The difficult thing about travel though, is that it’s always changing — so a travellers blog from three years ago about a place could be irrelevant today — it’s a tough one! :)
Hi Kate,
So your article about how you picked up and moved to Australia spoke so loud to me. I have been wanting to do something similar for a while but I just didn’t know how or when. I’m seriously considering it, most of the traveling adventures I have done in my life thus far have been that way: I found a random airline sale; a friend was going to something and I somehow managed to get the days off and go with them. Most recently I managed to book a trip to Iceland (one of the “must visit” countries in my bucket list).
I think this one is gonna be a major decision for me, and I know only I can make it. I’m 27 years old, no kids, my job is alright but honestly I’m not sure if this is the life I want forever. Living in Australia would be another thing from my bucked list that is accomplished.
I don’t know I just felt like sharing how powerful your articles can be, when I read your story I just felt like that was something I could definitely see myself doing, I know everyone’s story is different but reading about yours has inspired me. Thank you
-Mayra
I’m 25 and looking for work in the electric distribution field. I’m a powerline worker. Would it be better for me to try to find a job before I start my journey over there? Thanks for any help Kate!
Did you feel lonely during the beginning of your stay in Australia? With so many backpackers going in and out did you make any lasting friendships?
Australia no. I lived with a lot of backpackers who were doing the same thing as me. Took away many best friends from my time there. All whom I still talk to and hopefully will travel with again :) However in New Zealand I’m finding it a bit harder to find my niche – a lot of it has to do with me not being thrilled about the salaries here and just being unsure if I want to spend a whole year here. But even then so I’m definitely not lonely. I’ve met plenty of amazing people who I hope to see someday again :) def understand where you are coming from though. Two of my best friends who I met here have already left – it’s def hard to keep making friendships like that over and over again.
It feels great to know my country isn’t listed.. So Indians aren’t allowed.. So should I get my nationality changed?
I wish I could travel like this.. Because the only thing that makes me happy is travelling. No money no cars no nothing just travelling. And honestly o don’t mind working and travelling because before reading this article I had even told my my best friend I would wanna work where ever I would be in order to see more n grow..
K
Actually I met someone born and raised in India the other day. He’s been living in New Zealand for a couple years now so there must be a visa for you as well.
Thank you for this post and all the information. I’ve recently found myself unemployed (through no fault of my own) and almost 30. I gotta tell ya, turning 30 is a scary, scary thing. Visiting Australia has been at the top of my bucket list for awhile and this may post may be just what I needed to get my act in gear and start making life happen. Thank you! :)
What if you are older than 30?
Hi Kate! Just curious for what you did transportation wise? thank ! -Gabi
I don’t understand about the taxes — you filed at Taxback.com and went in person? Who did you go see?
They have offices everywhere. You just have to find the closest one to you. The second time I filed my taxes I didn’t have to go in because they had all my information. It was so easy :)
But, who has offices everywhere? Haha sorry. I understand about tax back.com but not about the office. Thanks! This article changed my life :)
Tax back … Honestly if you haven’t even worked in the country yet don’t worry about filing your taxes — you’ll learn everything as you go :)
Kate,
I’m 20 and currently applying for my visa subclass 462, but I have some questions.
First, the application seems to want information on whether or not I will have health insurance for the duration of my stay in Oz. Is this necessary? Do I need to provide evidence or apply for health insurance prior to submitting my application?
And second, the application is also asking for the contact information of friends or family in Oz that I might be staying with, or an exact address as to where I will be living. I will be staying in a hotel the first few days, then perhaps a hostel until I find suitable roommates to move in with, but I won’t have any idea until I’m actually there. What did you do, and what should I put in my application? I would LOVE to hear back from you! Your blog has been so inspiring. My email is kettaroberts@hotmail.com, I would be so appreciative if I could continue to use you as a resource and contact you in some other way besides comments on your blog. :)
Thankyou so much for this! I am just about to graduate university and this is my dream. Your blog is going to help me make it a reality! x
Prepaing to move June 7th and I’m loving that I can hear about your experiences. When you get a chance I would love to know more about what your friends did, what kind of work you had there, lessons learned, and overall takeaways. Thanks so much!!
Ryanne
American in South KoreanKorea
=(^-~)=
Great information! Your blog is helping so much with my next adventure to try Australia for a while and then to move to Hawai’i :) Mahalo nui loa! Random question, but wondering where you got the harem pants you are wearing in the picture – those are awesome! :) I bought one pair in Israel and have kicked myself ever since for not buying like 20 pair… :P Looking forward to more posts! :)
~’Ālana
Also, did you already have hospitality/server/bartending experience before leaving? I don’t and am wondering if I will have a hard time finding a hospitality job (bartender) which is what I would really like to do. Thanks! :)
Hello, I wish to travel to Australia on a work visa but I have no idea where to begin my journey I need a mentor or someone with the experience to give me some guidance for what I need to do in order to make steps into being able to start this fulfilling expedition. Hope to hear back from you :).
Hello Kate,
I’m moving to Melbourne in August, on a work holiday visa.
I have a question regarding currency, credit cards, and bank accounts.
First, what’s your advice on foreign transaction fees? Were you able to bypass the fees? How much did you use your American bank before opening an Australian one?(I currently have Wells Fargo and the transaction fee is not the best)
Second, what is your take on credit cards once your in country? Do you use one and if so, which one?
Lastly, love the website and all your posts! I thank you for your help.
Thank you,
TJ
Im going to work for there very soon! Hurray! Made it guys!
Hi Kate, I have a question about the HAP ID . I’m not exactly sure what that is on my visa application so should I fill out the “My Health Deaclarations” application?
Kate! Thanks so much. Your website has been so helpful for my USA boyfriend who is moving to Australia with me. Can you give me advice on what occupation is best for him to write. He has a degree in English, he is a talented musician, but he has been working in hospitality for the last 2 years… is hospitality the best industry to be approved for the visa?
Just applied for my Australian visa. You’re my inspiration :)
Hi! What did you do when you left? Did you have to transfer your money back to your American bank account and close your Australian one? What about your TFN? Do you have to do anything with it or tells anyone that you were leaving?
I had a little over $4000 in my account when I left and I just kept the account open and used that money to start living in New Zealand a year later. The American dollar was really strong at the time so I would have lost a lot of money on the conversation. Felt it was best to keep it in my account just incase the conversation changed but it never did lol So I just used all of it in NZ. And no you don’t have to tell anyone you are pemanently leaving. Your visa will permanently end by itself after a year (if you’re on the working holiday visa) but it is your responsibility to take care of what you need to. I knew I would get money back from my taxes so I filed them, along with my superannuation, before I left the country and it was taken care of for me through Taxback.com.au. I hope that answers your questions! :)
So happy I read this, will help me when I leave in a couple of weeks! Thanks for the pointers!
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I’m working on tailoring my resume for Australia now… Did you just leave a blank space for phone number and write it in once you got your aussie phone?
Also, were you able to receive mail at your hostel? I’m asking because the TFN needs to be mailed and I’m not sure where I’d send it to.
Thanks love!
31 here :( I live in the states. Is there a visa that works for me for Australia or England? Thanks for all your tips! :)
Yes and yes :) call/email and see what room number your hostel put you in or let them know you’re expecting mail. Also I wrote my phone number on my resume (or CV as the Aussies will call it) in pen when I got an Australian number :) There are also many wifi cafes around where you can easily print and use the internet if you want to wait till you get to the country. Also I suggest putting a small picture of yourself on the resume. Good luck!!
i try to apply the holiday working visa but unfortunately failed due to age.
my 30th birthday will be on 8th april.
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Did they tell you that you couldn’t apply. As far as I know you must apply before you turn 30. You can enter up to a year after that. My friend Danny did that.https://travelwithk8.wordpress.com/?p=61688&preview=true&frame-nonce=397da774f8&iframe=true
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Good luck :) this post may help you find work while you’re there ! https://katefromthestates.com/2016/03/03/howtomakeover18hrbackpacking/
Pingback: Tips to Finding Paid Work in the Land Down Under | Kate from the States
Hi Kate,
I was wondering what you did for health insurance? I have a prescription that I have to take every day, but I am not sure if I can just go to a doctor in Australia and get an Rx? Did you have any situation like this?
Thanks!
Hey Amy – I don’t have any experience needing to fill prescriptions so I recommend you talk to your doctor and keep researching info that can help you. Now, I actually had my doctor give me enough medication for six months when I lived in Thailand because I had some problems with my eyes and nose and then when I lived in New Zealand I was able to go to the doctor with no insurance and get a prescription for when I was sick and then I paid the bill at the end. I think it will depend on the type of medication you have. But I would def start by asking your doctor if they could prescribe you enough for an extended period of time. (Again, that will only work for certain meds) I hope this helped a bit – Good luck to you!
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Hi Kate! I’m trying to go back to Australia on the subclass 462 visa. Just spent spring break in Sydney and decided I loved it so much that I’d go back. What did you do for travel insurance? Did you have to prove that you have it?
THIS IS SO HELPFUL. Thank you!!!
Hi Kate!
Just wondering what you did as far as transportation around Australia. Easy? Hard?
Thanks!
What if your over 30 or have a child how do you get a visa
Hi Kate! Thanks for the tips. I’m moving to Aus in a week. I applied for my Visa online (and still waiting for my officialy ‘Granted’ letter) but I’m confused about when I will have to submit all of my documents. Do they check your passport/bank account etc upon arrival at the airport? Or did you have to submit all of your documents online to the visa portal?
Thank you :)
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